Mat

ABSTRACT

A foldable, portable exercise mat is disclosed. The mat is generally circular in shape when in the working position and is foldable to a generally rectangular shape when in the transport position. The exemplary embodiment of the mat includes a first side and a second side. The exemplary embodiment of the mat includes load-bearing strips strategically positioned on the first side to support the mat when it is in the transport position. Load-bearing strips may also be positioned around the perimeter of an integrated pocket to reduce the wear on the main body of the mat. Strap loops, gripping surfaces, affixing straps, and zippered pockets may also be affixed to either the first or second side. Carry straps may be engaged with strap loops to ease transportation of the mat. In a second embodiment of the mat, the mat may be folded into a backpack in the transport position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofprovisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/124,718 filed on Apr.17, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

A mat having a round shape and plurality of pockets is disclosed; morespecifically, the mat is adapted for convenient use for yoga or otherexercise as it may easily be modified from the working position to afolded transport position.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosedand described in the patent application.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

There are many kinds of yoga, as well as many reasons to practice yoga.In particular, yoga mats are preferably used in Hatha Yoga, which dealswith keeping the physical body fit. The focus is on balance, strength,flexibility, and coordination on both sides of the body. Generally,people have a dominant side, for example, in golf, tennis, and baseballpeople swing only one way as they are either right or left-handed. Onlya few people are capable of using both sides of their bodies equally. Itis not uncommon for chiropractors and yoga instructors to find that oneleg of a client might be slightly longer than the other due to injuries,poor posture, or lack of exercise. It is possible that a leg might befrom one-quarter of an inch to one full inch shorter or longer than theother leg. This adversely affects our health as one knee might not bendas well as the other and the effect is magnified through the rest of thebody. The purpose of Hatha Yoga practice is to make the right and leftsides of our bodies equally strong, flexible and balanced to the best ofour ability.

Yoga postures are based and taught that the postures are built from thefoundation up, analogous to the building of a house. The definition of“foundation” for this purpose is the part of the body touching thefloor. There are basically two kinds of foundations: (1) down on thefloor, for example, prone, supine, or sitting; and (2) up off the floor,for example standing, kneeling on hands and feet, hands and knees,headstand, elbow stand, handstand, etc. There are over one thousand yogapostures. Standing balancing poses need a good foundation so that thepractitioner doesn't fall down. A short flexible person's feet would bewider apart in his or her stance than a practitioner who is lessflexible and a tall person's feet would be even wider apart in his orher stance.

Yoga poses are held for a good length of time, sometimes one minute ormore. Being stable is important and again the foundation is a goodstart. Like a gymnast on a balance beam, alignment brings stability,example: standing with the legs wide apart in forward bend over rightleg, the back leg needs to be in line with the right leg not crossedmidline (off the balance beam). Exact placement of the feet changes fromteacher to teacher and pose to pose depending on purpose and ability.

Oftentimes those who practice yoga desire to meet in a central site andpractice yoga as a group. Accordingly, those persons must transport alltheir equipment to the central site. Since so many positions require alarge amount of contact between the person and the floor, most peopledesire to practice yoga using a mat. However, most mats are difficult totransport because they are difficult to fold into a configuration thatis easily transportable.

Accordingly, there is a need for a universally usable yoga mat that iseasy to transport from one location to another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The mat as claimed and disclosed herein provides for an easilytransportable, foldable mat. The mat may include integrated and zipperedpockets to transport additional items within the mat.

It is an objective of the mat to provide a cushioned surface upon whicha person may perform exercises.

It is another objective of the mat to maximize the ratio of work areaprovided by the mat to the floor area required to unfold the mat.

Other features and advantages of the mat will become apparent from thefollowing more detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered limited of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of the first embodiment of the matwith the first side facing upward.

FIG. 2 provides an elevated view of the first embodiment of the mat withthe second side facing upward folded along the first fold line.

FIG. 3 provides an elevated view of the first embodiment of the mat withthe second side facing upward folded along the first and second foldlines.

FIG. 4 provides an elevated view of the first embodiment of the mat withthe second side facing upward folded along the first, second, third, andfourth fold lines.

FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment of the mat folded along the first,second, third, fourth, and fifth fold lines.

FIG. 6 shows the first embodiment of the mat folded along the first,second, third, fourth, and fifth fold lines with the carry strapsattached.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of the second embodiment of the matwith the first side facing upward.

FIG. 8 provides an elevated view of the second embodiment of the matwith the second side facing upward.

FIG. 9 provides an elevated view of the second embodiment of the matwith the second side facing upward folded along the first and secondfold lines.

FIG. 10 provides an elevated view of the second embodiment of the matwith the second side facing upward folded along the first, second, andthird fold lines.

FIG. 11 shows the second embodiment of the mat folded along the first,second, third, and fourth fold lines.

FIG. 12 shows the second embodiment of the mat folded along the first,second, third, fourth, and fifth fold lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION - LISTING OF ELEMENTS ELEMENT DESCRIPTION ELEMENT #Mat 10 Carry strap  12a Strap loop  12b First fold line 14 Second foldline 15 Third fold line 16 Fourth fold line 17 Fifth fold line 18 FirstSide 20 Zipper pocket 22 Integrated pocket 24 Load-bearing strip 26Affixing strap 28 Second Side 30 Gripping Surface 32 Integrated Handle40

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that phraseology and terminology used herein with referenceto device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like“front”, back “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are only usedto simplify description of the present invention, and do not aloneindicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have aparticular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”,and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes ofdescription and are not intended to indicate or imply relativeimportance or significance.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1shows an exemplary embodiment of the mat 10. As shown in the figuresherein, the mat 10 is generally circular in shape, but is capable ofbeing folded into a generally rectangular shape (as shown in FIGS. 5-6),which facilitates convenient transport. The mat 10 may consist ofseveral layers, and the exemplary embodiment as pictured and describedherein consists of three layers.

The first layer forms the first side 20, which is an exterior layer. Thesecond layer (not shown) is positioned adjacent the first layer andforms an interior layer, which may be comprised of one or more materialshaving different physical properties. The third layer forms the secondside 30, which is an exterior layer. Accordingly, the second layer issandwiched between the first and third layers. In other embodiments notpictured herein, the second layer is not used so that the mat 10consists of only a first and third layer. In still other embodiments,the second layer is formed of a material or a combination of materialshaving an extreme amount of cushioning or other physical propertiesaccording to the application of the mat 10, such as water resistant orantimicrobial properties. The second layer may be composed of a materialwith insulative properties and/or force absorption properties as well,depending on the specific application of the mat 10. Additionally, thefirst and third layers may be composed of materials having the desiredphysical properties for the application, such as antimicrobial, waterresistance, anti-slip, and so forth. It is contemplated that in mostembodiments, the entire mat 10 will be machine washable. Accordingly,the specific material(s) used to construct the first, second, and/orthird layers in no way limits the scope of the mat 10.

The mat 10 is designed such that it may easily be folded from theworking position, shown in FIG. 1, to the transport position, shown inFIGS. 5-6. This allows the user to conveniently transport the mat 10from one location to the next and is described in detail below.

The first side 20 is the portion of the mat 10 that is in contact withthe user during use, which is shown opposite the floor (i.e., facing up)in FIG. 1. Affixed to the first side 20 is a plurality of load-bearingstrips 26, some of which terminate in loose affixing straps 28, thepurpose for which is explained in detail below. These load-bearingstrips 26 are strategically placed at various positions of the firstside 20 so that when the mat 10 is folded into the transport position,as shown in FIGS. 5-6, the load-bearing strips 26 are positioned to bearthe majority of the load of the mat 10 or objects placed therein whenthe mat 10 is in transport.

As shown in FIG. 1, the load-bearing strips 26 form an H-pattern havingtwo cross bars on the first side 20 of the mat 10. That is, theload-bearing strips 26 on the exemplary embodiment are formed with twopairs of load-bearing strips 26. The entire length of each load-bearingstrip 26 may be affixed to the first side 20, or only certain portionsthereof depending on the specific application of the mat 10 and toconserve labor and material in construction. The first pair ofload-bearing strips 26 is parallel to one another and to the third andfourth fold lines 17, 18, respectively. At the either end of eachload-bearing strip 26 in the first pair is an affixing strap 28. Thispattern allows the affixing straps 28 to be positioned adjacent oneanother when the mat 10 is configured to the transport position, asshown in FIG. 6.

The second pair of load-bearing strips 26 is also parallel to oneanother, but is perpendicular to the first pair and the third and fourthfold lines 17, 18. Accordingly, the second pair of load-bearing strips26 is parallel to the first and second fold lines 14, 15. In theexemplary embodiment, a strap loop 12 b is affixed to either end eachload-bearing strip 26 in the second pair. The load-bearing strips 26 maybe oriented differently in different embodiments, and the specificorientation thereof in no way limits the scope of the mat 10.Furthermore, the dimensions of the load-bearing strips 26 may vary fromone embodiment of the mat 10 to the next, as may the dimensions of themat 10. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, eachload-bearing strip 26 is approximately fifty-eight inches long, thedistance between the two load-bearing strips 26 in the first pair isapproximately fifty-eight inches, and the distance between the twoload-bearing strips 26 in the second pair is approximately eighteeninches. The affixing straps 28 at the end of each load-bearing strip 26in the first pair are approximately three inches in length. However, inother embodiments described in detail below, the various dimensions ofthe load-bearing strips 26 and affixing straps 28 may be different.

The load-bearing strips 26 also border the top side of the integratedpocket 24, as described further below. This in turn reduces the stressand wear on the other fabric of the mat 10. Strap loops 12 b are affixedto the load-bearing strips 26 in the exemplary embodiment of the mat 10so that carry straps 12 a may be used to transport the mat 10. As shownherein, simple spring clips are used to affix the carry straps 12 a tothe strap loops 12 b, but those skilled in the art may use otherstructures to affix the carry straps 12 a to the strap loops 12 bwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the mat 10.

The second side 30 is the portion of the mat 10 that is in contact withthe floor or ground surface during use. A gripping surface 32 may beaffixed to at least a portion of the second side 30 (as shown in FIG. 2)to mitigate slippage of the mat 10 with respect to the floor or groundsurface. Alternatively, the entire first and/or second sides 20, 30 maybe configured with scattered areas of gripping material. For example,small polyvinyl chloride areas may be incorporated into the material ofthe first and/or second sides 20, 30 so that the gripping surface 32 isintegrated with the material of the mat 10. The gripping surface 32 inany embodiment of the mat 10 may be constructed of any suitable materialfor the application of the mat 10. For example, if the mat 10 is to beused on a wooden floor, the gripping surface 32 may be constructed ofrubber, polyvinyl chloride, silicon, or any other material known tothose skilled in the art.

A zippered pocket 22 may be formed in the mat 10 so that the interior ofthe zippered pocket 22 is accessible through either the first side 20 orthe second side 30 of the mat 10. In the exemplary embodiments picturedherein, the zippered pocket 22 is accessible through the second side 30of the mat 10. In another embodiment not pictured herein, zipperedpockets 22 may be formed in both the first and second sides 20, 30 ofthe mat 10.

An integrated pocket 24 may be formed in the first side 20 (see FIG. 1)between one of the load-bearing strips 26 and the periphery of the mat10 to facilitate various different exercise positions. In otherembodiments not pictured herein, the periphery of the integrated pocket24 may be reinforced with load-bearing strips 26 to enhance thedurability of the mat 10 and the integrated pocket 24. The integratedpocket 24 allows the user of the mat 10 to perform the yoga posereferred to as “savasana” or “corpse”, by placing the user's feet withinthe integrated pocket 24.

In other embodiments not pictured herein, the integrated pocket 24 maybe formed in the second side 30, or both the first and second sides 20,30 may include an integrated pocket 24.

Converting the mat 10 from the working position to the transportposition will now be explained. As noted, generally the mat 10 will becompletely unfolded and placed flat against the floor or ground when itis in use, as shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the second side 30 is adjacentthe floor, which is the orientation when the mat 10 is in use.

The first step is to spread the mat 10 out over a relatively flatsurface with the second side 30 facing up. Next, the mat 10 is foldedalong the first fold line 14, as shown in FIG. 2. The orientation of themat 10 in FIG. 2 is opposite that shown in FIG. 1, as the portion of themat 10 that appears toward the top of the depiction in FIG. 1 is movedto the bottom of the depiction in FIG. 2. Next, the mat 10 is foldedalong the second fold line 15, as shown in FIG. 3. As is apparent fromFIGS. 1-4, the distance from the first fold line 14 to a tangent line onthe periphery of the mat 10 parallel to the first fold line 14 isapproximately one-fourth the diameter of the mat 10, which orientationis mirrored for the second fold line 15. The distance between the firstand second fold lines 14, 15 is approximately half the diameter of themat 10.

As shown in FIG. 3 the mat 10 is symmetrical. Next, the mat 10 is foldedalong the third and fourth fold lines 16, 17, respectively, so that themat 10 is substantially square in shape, which is shown in FIG. 4. Aswith the first and second fold lines 14, 15, the distance from the thirdfold line 16 to a tangent line on the periphery of the mat 10 parallelto the third fold line 16 is approximately one-fourth the diameter ofthe mat 10, which orientation is mirrored for the fourth fold line 17.The distance between the first and second fold lines 16, 17 isapproximately half the diameter of the mat 10.

Finally, the mat 10 is folded in half along the fifth fold line 18 toachieve the configuration shown in FIG. 5, in which configuration themat 10 is prepared for transport. The fifth fold line 15 passes throughthe geometric center of the mat 10 in the embodiment thereof shown inFIGS. 1-6. After the mat 10 is folded along the fifth fold line 18, itis substantially rectangular in shape.

In the exemplary embodiment, the relative positions of the fold lines14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are ensured by providing a crease in the appropriateposition on the second (interior layer). For example, if the interiorlayer is constructed of a polyurethane foam, then the foam may be of alesser thickness in the positions on the interior layer corresponding tothe fold lines 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Alternatively, the interior layer maybe formed of several distinct portions, wherein the border between eachportion is positioned to correspond to one of the fold lines 14, 15, 16,17, 18.

When configured as shown in FIG. 5, the corresponding affixing straps 28are now positioned adjacent one another so that two pairs of affixingstraps 28 are formed and may be affixed to one another. This allows theuser to affixing the respective affixing straps 28 to one another (shownunfixed in FIG. 4) to secure the mat 10 in the transport position. FIG.5 shows the affixing straps 28 affixed together to secure the mat 10 inthe transport position, thereby ensuring that the mat 10 remains foldedalong the fold lines 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. In the exemplary embodimentpictured herein a total of four affixing straps 28 are used, which arearranged in two corresponding pairs (best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5). Atthis point the carry straps 12 a may be connected to the strap loops 12b, as shown in FIG. 6, and the mat 10 may be conveniently transported.

As shown in the first embodiment of the mat 10, the affixing straps 28are engaged with one another through tying corresponding affixing straps28. However, in other embodiments, as described in detail below, theaffixing straps 28 may be affixed to one another using other methods,such as placing Velcro on corresponding affixing straps 28, magnets,buttons, loops, or any other structure known to those skilled in theart.

With the carry straps 12 a affixed to the strap loops 12 b and the mat10 folded into the transport position the mat 10 is compact andrelatively easy to transport. Furthermore, this configuration of the mat10 shows how the carry straps 12 a and load-bearing strips 26 serve toreduce the load and wear on other portions of the mat 10, therebyextending the useful life of the mat 10. Certain additional items, suchas a key ring, may also be hung from the strap loop 12 b or carry strap12 a as long as such additional items do not overburden the relevantportions of the mat 10 with the weight of the additional items. Theconnections between the relevant portions of the mat 10 may be sized sothat the load-bearing properties of the mat 10 and relevant elementsthereof may be greater or less than the apparent load-bearing propertiesof the embodiment pictured herein.

When the mat 10 is in the transport position, additional items may beplaced into the interior of the mat 10 as long as such additional itemsdo not overburden the relevant portions of the mat 10. It iscontemplated that additional padded mats (not shown) or other relativelylight-weight items such as personal electronic devices, books, nutritionsupplements, etc. may be conveniently placed into the interior of themat 10. In embodiments not pictured herein, heavier items may be placedwithin the interior of the mat 10 as long as the relevant elements ofthe mat 10 are sized accordingly.

A second embodiment of the mat 10 is shown in FIGS. 7-12. In the secondembodiment of the mat 10, when the mat 10 is configured to the transportposition (shown in FIG. 12) it may be used as a backpack. FIG. 7 showsthe second embodiment of the mat 10 with the first side 20 facingupward. A plurality of load-bearing strips 26 are affixed to the firstside 20 toward the center thereof.

The load-bearing strips 26 are arranged in an H-shaped pattern, whereinthe sides of the H-shape are formed by a pair of load-bearing strips 28that are parallel to the first and second fold lines 14, 15 andperpendicular to the third, fourth, and fifth fold lines 16, 17, 18. Atthe end of each load-bearing strip 26 of the pair is an affixing strap28. Each affixing strap 28 is oriented so that when the mat 10 is in thetransport position (shown in FIG. 12), the two affixing straps 28attached to one of the load-bearing strips 26 form a pair of affixingstraps 28 positioned adjacent one another.

A load-bearing strip 26 is positioned between the two load-bearingsstrips 26 of the pair, adjacent to which an integrated pocket 24 may bepositioned. The second embodiment also includes an integrated handle 40positioned between the two load-bearing strips 26 of the pair. Theaffixing straps 28 as shown in the second embodiment are Velcro, butmany other variations exist as explained for the first embodiment above.

The mat 10 is shown in FIG. 8 with the second side 30 facing upward. Theorientation of the mat 10 is opposite in FIG. 8 compared to theorientation in FIG. 7 so that the portion of the mat 10 that appears onthe left side of the depiction in FIG. 8 appears on the right side ofthe depiction in FIG. 7 and vice versa.

To convert the second embodiment of the mat 10 from the working position(shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) to the transport position (shown in FIG. 12),first the mat 10 is folded along the first fold line 14. Next the mat 10is folded along the second fold line 15 so that the mat 10 is configuredas shown in FIG. 9. In the second embodiment the distance from the firstfold line 14 to a tangent line on the periphery of the mat 10 parallelto the first fold line 14 is approximately one-third the diameter of themat 10, which orientation is mirrored for the second fold line 15.

Next, the mat 10 is folded along the third fold line 16 as shown in FIG.10. The mat 10 is then folded along the fourth fold line 17 as shown inFIG. 11, and subsequently along the fifth fold line 18 as shown in FIG.12. The distances between the third, fourth, and fifth fold lines 16,17, 18 will vary from one embodiment to the next, but are approximatelyequal to one-fourth the diameter of the mat 10 in the second embodiment.

After the mat 10 has been folded into the configuration shown in FIG.12, the respective affixing straps 28 are positioned adjacent one otheraffixing strap 28 to form a pair thereof. The respective affixing straps28 of each pair may then be joined to one another to secure the mat 10in the transport position (shown in FIG. 12). As with the firstembodiment of the mat 10, in the second embodiment the integrated pocket24 is oriented so that it is accessible when the mat 10 is in thetransport position.

When configured in the transport position, the second embodiment of themat 10 may be transported through use of the integrated handle 40.Alternatively, the portion of the pair of load-bearing strips 26 thatextends from the top of the integrated pocket 24 to the affixing strap28 may loose with respect to the first side 20. Accordingly, thatportion of each load-bearing strip 26 forms a loop through which theuser's arm may be inserted so that the mat 10, when in the foldedposition, may be transported as a backpack.

Any embodiment of the mat 10 or the various components thereof may beconstructed in dimensions suitable for the specific application of themat 10. For example, in the first embodiment, it is contemplated that anoptimal diameter for the mat 10 may be seventy-two inches. In the secondembodiment, it is contemplated that an optimal diameter for the mat 10may be forty-four inches. Accordingly, the scope of the mat 10 is notlimited by the dimensions thereof or the various elements employedtherewith.

It should be noted that the mat 10 is not limited to the specificembodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply toall similar apparatuses for practicing yoga or exercising. Modificationsand alterations from the described embodiments will occur to thoseskilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of themat 10.

1. A generally circular portable mat comprising: a. a first side; b. asecond side opposite and affixed to said first side; c. a first foldline; d. a second fold line oriented parallel to said first fold line;e. a third fold line oriented perpendicular to said first and secondfold lines; f. a fourth fold line oriented parallel to said third foldline and perpendicular to said first and second fold lines, wherein saidthird and fourth fold lines are positioned such that when said mat isfolded along said third and fourth fold lines, said mat is approximatelyhalf the height of said mat when not folded along said third and fourthfold lines; and g. a fifth fold line oriented parallel to said third andfourth fold lines and perpendicular to said first and second fold lines.2. The mat according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality ofload-bearing strips affixed to said first side of said mat.
 3. The mataccording to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of affixing strapsaffixed to said plurality of said load-bearing strips.
 4. The mataccording to claim 1 further comprising a gripping surface affixed tosaid second side of said mat.
 5. The mat according to claim 1 furthercomprising a plurality of strap loops affixed to said plurality ofload-bearing strips.
 6. The mat according to claim 5 further comprisingat least one carry strap that may be cooperatively engaged with saidplurality of strap loops.
 7. The mat according to claim 1 furthercomprising an integrated pocket formed in said first side of said mat.8. The mat according to claim 1 further comprising a zippered pocketformed in said second side of said mat.
 9. A generally circular portablemat comprising: a. a first side; b. a second side opposite and affixedto said first side; c. a first fold line; d. a second fold line orientedparallel to said first fold line, wherein said first and second foldlines are positioned such that when said mat is folded along said firstand said second fold lines, said mat is approximately half the width ofsaid mat when not folded along said first and second fold lines; e. athird fold line oriented perpendicular to said first and second foldlines; f. a fourth fold line oriented parallel to said third fold lineand perpendicular to said first and second fold lines, wherein saidthird and fourth fold lines are positioned such that when said mat isfolded along said third and fourth fold lines, said mat is approximatelyhalf the height of said mat when not folded along said third and fourthfold lines; g. a fifth fold line oriented parallel to said third andfourth fold lines and perpendicular to said first and second fold lines,wherein said fifth fold line passes through the geometric center of saidmat; h. a first pair of load-bearing strips affixed to said first side,wherein said first pair of load-bearing strips are oriented parallel tosaid third and fourth fold lines; i. four affixing straps, wherein eachsaid affixing strap is affixed to a respective end of each load-bearingstrip in said first pair of load-bearing strips; and j. a second pair ofload-bearing strips affixed to said first side, wherein said second pairof load-bearing strips are perpendicular to said first pair ofload-bearing strips.
 10. The mat according to claim 9 further comprisingfour strap loops, wherein each strap loop is affixed to a respective endof each load-bearing strip of said second pair of said load-bearingstrips.
 11. The mat according to claim 9 further comprising a grippingsurface, wherein said gripping surface is affixed to said second side.12. The mat according to claim 9 further comprising an integrated pocketformed in said first side of said mat.
 13. The mat according to claim 9further comprising a zippered pocket formed in said second side of saidmat.
 14. The mat according to claim 10 further comprising at least onecarry strap that may be cooperatively engaged with said plurality ofstrap loops.
 15. A generally circular portable mat comprising: a. afirst side; b. a second side opposite and affixed to said first side; c.a first fold line; d. a second fold line oriented parallel to said firstfold line, wherein said first and second fold lines are positioned suchthat when said mat is folded along said first and said second foldlines, said mat is approximately one third the width of said mat whennot folded along said first and second fold lines; e. a third fold lineoriented perpendicular to said first and second fold lines; f. a fourthfold line oriented parallel to said third fold line and perpendicular tosaid first and second fold lines, wherein said third and fourth foldlines are positioned such that when said mat is folded along said thirdand fourth fold lines, said mat is approximately half the height of saidmat when not folded along said third and fourth fold lines; and g. afifth fold line oriented parallel to said third and fourth fold linesand perpendicular to said first and second fold lines.
 16. The mataccording to claim 15 further comprising a plurality of load-bearingstrips affixed to said first side of said mat.
 17. The mat according toclaim 15 further comprising a plurality of affixing straps affixed tosaid plurality of said load-bearing strips.
 18. The mat according toclaim 15 further comprising a gripping surface affixed to said secondside of said mat.
 19. The mat according to claim 15 further comprisingan integrated pocket formed in said first side of said mat.
 20. The mataccording to claim 16 further comprising an integrated handle affixed tosaid plurality of load-bearing strips.